This is what the day at the World Cup brings

The first three-game matchday of the 2018 World Cup brings a top game with a local character. The European champions from 2016, 2008 and 2012 will meet in the Iberian duel in Sochi. The Spaniards caused a stir with their last-minute change of coach. Egypt and Uruguay (14 p.m.) and Morocco and Iran (17 p.m.) also meet.

TOP MATCH OF THE DAY: As if the game between the two rivals from the Iberian peninsula wasn't already explosive enough, former world champion Spain is now causing additional unrest in the team with the surprising separation from coach Julen Lopetegui and the appointment of Fernando Hierro as his successor for the World Cup period. “Julen will always be part of our team, no matter what happens at this World Cup,” said captain Sergio Ramos. The Portuguese around world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo are not going to let themselves be irritated by events in the Spanish team before the game on Friday in Sochi (20.00 p.m. CEST/ARD). “Spain has been playing the same style for ten years. That’s why I think there won’t be any surprises,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.

MAN OF THE DAY: Is he playing, not playing? The Egyptians are keeping their fingers crossed that their best footballer gets fit in time and can take part in the first World Cup game against Uruguay on Friday (14.00 p.m. CEST/ARD). The decision on whether to play Mohamed Salah should only be made shortly before the game. No problem for national coach Héctor Cúper: “If nothing unforeseen happens, he will play. I'm confident.” After the shoulder ligament injury he suffered in the Champions League final, Salah trained three times a day and also took part in the final training session. “I’m a fighter,” said the Liverpool FC professional.

OUTSIDER OF THE DAY: Iran has celebrated a single victory in four finals appearances and a total of twelve World Cup games - 20 years ago, the team secured a 2-1 win in the preliminary round against the USA. “We don’t tolerate anyone telling us that we can’t win,” said national coach Carlos Queiroz before the opening game against Morocco (17.00 p.m. CEST/ARD) in the difficult World Cup Group B. Nevertheless, the team behind the top two Favorites Portugal and Spain as well as Morocco as a blatant outsider. The best-known player in Germany is Ashkan Dejagah, who became European champion with the DFB U21 in 2009. However, the offensive player is slightly injured.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

This is what the day at the World Cup brings

After host Russia's opening World Cup victory, the focus is on the game between European champions Portugal and former world champions Spain with a new coach. Egypt is hoping to use superstar Salah in the first game.

Suggestions

Comments (0)